Writing through burnout: why low energy doesn’t mean you’re failing

Writing Through Burnout Is One Hell of a Challenge

I’ve been in burnout for two years now—maybe longer if I’m really honest with myself. (But let’s not count too closely; four years sounds like too much to admit out loud.)

Burnout happens when you keep walking past yourself, ignoring your limits until inertia takes over. Becca Syme talks about this on YouTube, and she explains it perfectly: inertia can feel like you’re rolling downhill—things are moving, you’re moving—and then suddenly, you’re going too fast and you lose control.

And that’s what burnout often feels like. You hit a wall, then you keep pushing because slowing down feels like failing. But writing through burnout—writing with low energy—doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Why Low Energy Isn’t Failure

It’s easy to believe we should wake up every day with the same energy. But we don’t. We’re not machines. Even nature doesn’t work like that.

The weather changes. Even in places with “no seasons,” there are still shifts: rainy days, warm days, storms, and calm after storms. Sometimes there’s even rain and sunshine at the same time. And when a heavy storm passes, the world slows down, takes a breath, and recovers.

Your energy works the same way. Low energy isn’t a flaw—it’s a signal. It’s your body saying: Hey, you’ve pushed too hard, you’ve done too much. It’s asking you to pause, to rest, to recharge. That’s not failure. That’s wisdom—your body protecting you.

It’s Okay to Take Longer Than You Thought

Recovery is frustrating. I get it. You wish you weren’t burned out, wish you could just “move on.” You wish you didn’t have to spend so much time feeling… stuck. But everything in life runs on cycles.

Plants don’t sprout overnight. They go from seed to stem to fruit in their own time. They need rest periods, nutrients, and space to grow. And so do you.

Low energy is your body saying it’s time to grow roots before you sprout again. That takes time. And yes, it’s painful when you want to be moving forward but feel like you’re standing still.

What to Do When You Feel Like You’re Failing

If you need to feel progress, start small. Make your bed. Go for a short walk. Write one paragraph. Just one.

Progress doesn’t have to be fast or loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet and slow—and that’s enough.

And What If Life Won’t Give You Room to Breathe?

Sometimes, you know you’re burning out, but life won’t stop—bills need paying, or your book still needs launching, and you feel like you can’t pause.

That’s why I created my Your Way In plans—tiny steps, made for real humans, tailored to who you are right now. We start gently: one piece at a time, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and so you can keep that sense of forward motion without the pressure to “do it all.”

If you feel stuck but need a way to move forward—softly, at your own pace—let’s chat. No pressure, no hype. Just a way to breathe while still moving toward your goals.